Implementing demand side management (DSM) is expensive and often time
consuming. Eskom grants subsidies for DSM projects based on the proposed
savings. The subsidy granted is not always adequate to fund all the required
control equipment to achieve the desired saving. This study focuses on alternative
cost– and time–effective methods to implement DSM on gold mines, specifically on
the compressed–air systems where the infrastructure is inadequate, worn out or
outdated.
The compressors generating compressed air for mining are one of the largest
electricity consumer at gold mines. By optimising the energy consumption of
these compressed–air systems, the largest potential demand reduction can be
achieved. This will lighten the demand load on the already overloaded national
power grid.
Compressed air at gold mines is mainly used for production purposes, thus the
majority of savings on these systems need to be achieved during non–production
hours. Fixing air leaks, optimising compressor control, meticulous planning of
implementation locations and controlling air usage are all methods that were
investigated to achieve alternative cost– and time–effective methods to implement
DSM on mine compressed–air systems.
The methods were implemented by an Energy Services Company (ESCo) at four
different mines. The results achieved from these case studies are documented
and discussed in this study. / Thesis (M.Ing. (Mechanical Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:NWUBOLOKA1/oai:dspace.nwu.ac.za:10394/4815 |
| Date | January 2010 |
| Creators | Joubert, Hercules Phillipus Roedolf |
| Publisher | North-West University |
| Source Sets | North-West University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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